What you should know about Taylor Swift and the best parts of her new video 'Shake IT Off'

If you are not a country fan, you may have heard about Taylor Swift because she was in a movie or because she had a couple of crossover hits. All of that is about to change. Swift has gone from country to pop with her new album, and she is going to rock the charts like its 1989. Swift was born Dec 13, 1989, so I guess that gives her some cred for bringing out a tribute to late ‘80s pop music. Had she been born 19 days later, this paragraph would have sounded a whole lot different. Fortunately, no one has to be born in the era that good music is released in order to enjoy it – that’s why God (or Thomas Edison) invented recordings. Swift is an ultra-successful country STAR, and some fans are upset that she has sold out to the pop arena. However, after receiving the Pinnacle Award in 2013, there was really nowhere else for her to go in country music. She had already reached the top. The only star to receive the award – Garth Brooks in 2005. Why do fans insist on putting their favorite stars in a box and limiting their creativity to one music category? That is probably a question for another time. If the music is good, fans should listen even if it doesn’t fit the category they enjoy the most. Swift’s new video Shake It Off is already a viral sensation. With over 36 million views, it is clear that people are watching Swift’s antics as she moves through several different styles of dance, including ballet, breakdance and some styles that I don’t understand or know the names of. Here is a list of some of the best parts as Swift shows awkward confidence, the ability to laugh at herself and have fun.The best parts of ‘Shake It Off’

The “mmm, mmm” at 11 seconds in. How many women refuse to have facial expressions because they cause wrinkles? Swift gives us plenty of forehead wrinkling while she addresses what people say and then punctuates it with the “mmm, mmm.”

The modern dance turn where you catch a glimpse of her smirk at 42 seconds in.

The smirk again while she shakes her hips at 49 seconds in.

At 52 seconds, she looks like “What’s going on here?” as modern dancers do their thing around her.

At 56 seconds, Up until this point you get the references, heartbreakers are going to break, haters going to hate and players going to play. Then she tells you that “bakers are going to bake.” That singular, misheard lyric might make the whole song. (It’s “fakers gonna fake,” but baker is so much more fun.)

58 seconds – Taylor Swift shows that she cannot do everything well with her first use of the ribbon. It kind of sums up the entire video, she may look dorky and not be able to do something, but she has fun doing it. She has fun taking the risk.

At 1:07, the introduction of this guy. What is he doing with his fingers? And the crew that follows him – How do they move like liquid?

At 1:12, she does the robot and shows off her disco moves.

At 1:22, Swift sets up at the table to show her finger skills. The game is on with a head nod.

At 1:26, she looks confused and has no idea what she is doing with her fingers.

At 1:33, Swift has a face that looks like she can’t believe the twerkers in the background.

Using ballerinas at 1:39 like football players use tires and emerging with Jazz Hands.

The hat dance moves at 1:52.

Hopping backwards as a ballerina at 1:57.

Fishing at 2:06.

Why is she crawling under the twerkers at 2:09?

Shaking it off like a robot at 2:12.

Ribbon jump at 2:17. Does it get any more awkward?

The pom-pom toss at 2:37.

The climax of the cheerleader toss at 2:43. Her face is priceless.

Playing the trumpet at 2:56.

The sign of the bird at 3:04.

Who is this guy and how did he get in the video? Lucky dude at 3:12.

This guy at 3:21 seriously reminds me of author Will Cohen, who replied in a tweet about his participation in the video with this “Well yes and no. I was on set, but they didn't like my new "dreidel" move, so I got cut.” I’m pretty sure he was joking.

And the move at 3:46 finished with a head nod that says she meant to do it.

The point is, there is a lot to like about ‘Shake It Off’. Let’s hope that the rest of the album is just as good. Taylor, strike out into new arenas and do what you do best – entertain, create and bring joy to the world. We need more people willing to take chances and expand their lives. What’s your favorite part of the video?